Meet Douggie, CYAK Board Chair.

Hello! My name is DougSwanson. I was born and raised in Nome, Alaska and am Inupiaq Eskimo and a sliver of Swede. Today I live in North Pole, Alaska with my wife Mary but I'd like to tell you about my spiritual birth and growth as a Christian.

"Hey, what are you doing this summer? You should come to bible camp....". My friend Charlie easily convinced me to register for Covenant Bible Camp on the North River, near Unalakleet, Alaska. The year was 1991 and I was 15 years old. There I enjoyed the activities and the people I encountered. If all a kid was looking for was a good time, this camp didn't disappoint. One evening with a day or two left of camp, Byron Bruckner and Curtis Ivanoff spoke to the group describing the Gospel in similar manner to the way the Apostle Paul paraphrased it in 1 Corinthians 15. This message, this story, made sense to me. Scripture and inspired speaking seemed to give me newfound 'inner comprehension'. In prayer I received salvation by this Gospel. That evening I was born of the Spirit.

Ironic but about the same time I was saved a war started in my soul. Heavy depression set into my life in spite of being saved. My teen and young adult years were filled high high's and low low's. Often I was in between spinning my wheels. By age 22 I had reached the bottom. I had for years sought an escape from this world but by now I considered suicide as a possibility. I felt isolated and alone. I needed to reach out but to whom? In all my life's family or acquaintances, there was only one person I called, Covenant Youth of Alaska Executive Director, Byron Bruckner. Believe me, I had many people in my life who cared for me made themselves available but the trouble in the core of my soul was understood by believers of Christ. At the time Byron was living in Fairbanks building the statewide ministry and pouring energy into the local college ministry. "Come up!", he advised. Joining the college/young adult ministry and discipling under Byron was a lifeline and the beginning of growth spiritually and therefore personally. I recall one particular event that challenged me to become a better study in the scriptures. Byron arranged for me to speak to high school students at a local rally in Bethel, Alaska. He is as compassionate as they come but also knows how to challenge up-and-comers. I choked big time and the local pastor intervened gracefully to straighten out my confused understanding of the scriptures. I was embarrassed, humbled and learned that I needed to make certain I could articulate my faith and rightly handle the Word.

The war in my soul raged on however I returned home to my small village where my family now lived. In Koyuk I started a youth group for the teens following the example and equipping I garnered from my CYAK experience. The group grew to include all 16 students in high school and it wasn't due in any part to my ability. It was this season where I saw how God performs in spite of our ineptness and poor example. Roughly four to six times a year I was able to gather with other CYAK volunteers for training, fellowship and encouragement. Some of my best friendships in life were made during this time.

I left the village for economic reasons, criss-crossing the state as a heavy equipment operator and constructor. The darkness inside me made a big comeback involving alcohol and girls and a lot of destruction. Thankfully my network of believing friends helped turn me to the scriptures like never before. I began studying the entire bible with fervor. This is where the most transformative changes occurred in my life. My heart and mind were re-written. Think Romans 12 in its entirety but this stands out: "Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Into my mid-thirties I grew in confidence of who I truly am. That is, one who is saved by grace and destined to live with God now and forever. Though many scars are left in my wake I look forward with much hope today. Repentance has given me clarity for my life's purpose. The verse from Romans says that we can discern what is the will of God. I believe God's specific purpose for me today is to be a servant-leader in my marriage, my small business, my local church and as a board of director for Covenant Youth of Alaska. CYAK played an important role in my life and does for many others with a background similar to mine. Our command is to love one another as He loved us. Doing so through CYAK is a fantastic manner in which to do it.

​Learn more about how to partner with CYAK to bring the hope of Christ to young people in Alaska: CYAK Vision Partnership